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Champion trainer Chris Waller isn’t expecting to bring down Anamoe with his two runners in Saturday’s Group 1 $1m The Agency George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.
But he says classy mare Fangirl will prove a worthy adversary for the Godolphin superstar once again while suggesting the race could be the making of exciting three-year-old Osipenko.
Chris Waller said it was hugely disappointing for Osipenko, who won the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) second-up from a spell, to miss the Randwick Guineas with an elevated temperature earlier this month and is adamant he's a Group 1 performer.
"You could make a case it's a big day for him if he could upset the genuine Group 1 weight-for-age horses,'' Waller said.
"He missed his run in the Randwick Guineas, his blood has been perfect ever since and he's produced some good work in the last 10 days.
"It looked a lovely race for him. His third placing in the Caulfield Guineas from the outside barrier was an announcement to me that he's a Group 1 horse so you just want to try and tick that box with him."
The last three-year-old to win the George Ryder was Pierro in 2013 though both Kementari (2018) and Brutal (2019) were placed behind the champion Winx.
Waller, who has won the Ryder seven times including Winx's four straight, said the race provides a nice stepping stone for Osipenko into the Group 1 $4m The Star Doncaster Mile where he has just 49kg.
"Missing the Randwick Guineas then having the opportunity on your home track at a distance that suits for where he's at in the prep it's the perfect race for him,'' he said.
"We're not expecting to come and blow anything away but we'll see how good he is."
Golden Eagle runner-up Fangirl has yet to get the better of Anamoe in four clashes with the star entire this season but Waller said if she is going to give him a fright the set up is better for her on Saturday.
He said while Anamoe held her comfortably in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) three weeks ago the draw, particularly with him jumping from the outside, might level things up a touch.
"Anamoe has the measure of her but she will keep him honest and it's good to see her with a nice draw,'' he said.
"She drew inside her last couple of runs and I thought she's been cluttered up a bit arguably in the worst part of the track so she will get clear air and a chance to finish off.
"Since we've found the racing pattern with her she just gets the job done and copes so well. If she replicated that Golden Eagle run she will keep them honest again."
Fangirl was a $10 chance with TAB on Thursday with Osipenko at $21. They are $8 and $15 respectively in the Doncaster Mile.
Chris Waller's comments on his Group 1 $600,000 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas (2000m) runners:
Manzoice: "Missing that first-up run makes you reluctant to run them first-up over a mile but I was happy with what he did for a stayer. He's a better horse now, a stronger horse, quite an attractive specimen. His work since has been great. Each year in the Rosehill Guineas we see the formlines change from the Randwick Guineas to the 2000m distance."
Lindermann: "That 1400m race he won here at Rosehill really woke him up and showed he can be versatile. He's drawn wide, it would be nice to get some cover but if not we know he can race on pace if required. Nash (Rawiller) knows him well and has confidence in him."
